Chandler Porterfield

We visited Cambria this weekend and decided to try Sea Chest since we were staying within walking distance. Oh man! This place is incredible. We loved it so much we decided to go for dinner both nights of our trip! The shrimp and scallop scampi was delicious and my husband enjoyed the fresh catches of the day each night. We arrived at opening time each night so it was about an hour wait but honestly it went by so quick. They have plenty of room to wait inside or outside with a glass of wine and on Saturday night they had live music in the outside waiting area. The service was great both nights as well. Make sure you order the chocolate torte and a nice cup of coffee for dessert - you will not regret it! Can’t wait to visit again soon!

Renata Shakirova

One of the best food experiences in my life! Super fresh, flavourful, cozy atmosphere and chefs just know what they are doing. Highly recommend.

frank velasquez

Great food, great service. Be sure to bring cash, we came on a Thursday afternoon and there were people waiting in line before it open. We were able to get in quickly. Definitely worth the time and trip.

Allison Thomas

1,000 % YESSS!! 🤩🤩 The service was amazing, the food was to die for, and the atmosphere was outstanding. If you are ever on the beach in Cambria this place is a must. I recommend sitting at the oyster bar and of if I suggest coming 30ish minutes early because this place’s line pops off. My daughter counted and they were 84 people waiting to take action in eating the best seafood. It is the perfect place to get some oysters a drink and watch tbe sun set.

Chad

Go to Sea Chest if you are looking for an experience. It was recommended by our inn staff. We had an about a 90 minute wait, which was great as we sat outside near their fire pit enjoying the live music and other people with the sunset in the background. We had the oysters, halibut and calamari steak - all expertly prepared and fresh. It’s a cash only restaurant, but they have an ATM if you need it.

R Klinger

Great spot! Plan to wait if you show up past the 530pm opening. We came at 515pm but were seated in the first seating group (see line photo). Very good fresh fish daily specials. Would recommend the sea bass. The oyster Rockefeller were good but small. Let the wine flow and enjoy the ocean view from any seat in the restaurant except the bar area. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Cash or check only! No cards!

+3

Veronica Goucher

This was honestly one of the best meals I have had. The staff was beyond friendly and helpful. We Sat at the bar where Francisco attended us. He was very friendly, fast and helpful. It was nice to sit at the bar and watch the kitchen shuck oysters and cook up our meals. We had bread, oysters, calamari, swordfish and the shrimp scampi. The rockefeller oysters were my favorite out of the two we tried, but everything was over the top delicious! You will not be disappointed by this gem!

Anthony Elisarraras

The Sea Chest Oyster Bar: A Pearl of a Dining Experience in Cambria At The Sea Chest Oyster Bar, the early bird doesn’t just get the worm—they get the oyster. And trust me, it’s worth it. This place is so legendary that there’s a line out the door before they even open. We arrived an hour early, and even then, we were 30th in line. If that’s not a testament to its reputation, I don’t know what is. But waiting here isn’t a chore—it’s part of the experience. With breathtaking ocean views right from the parking lot, we had front-row seats to one of Cambria’s most stunning sunsets before we even stepped inside. A Treasure Chest of Flavors We started with shrimp cocktail and oysters, both absolute gems. The oysters, fresh and briny, tasted like they were plucked straight from the tide moments before landing on our plate. Then came the clam chowder—phenomenal. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, it was the kind of chowder that makes you close your eyes for a moment just to savor it. For my main course, I dove into a shrimp marinara dish, and let me tell you—this was seafood done right. The shrimp were cooked to absolute perfection, nestled in a sauce that was bold, balanced, and beautifully robust. Pairing it with a bottle of wine only elevated the entire experience. The Setting: Where Class Meets the Coast Dining at The Sea Chest feels like stepping onto a classy pirate ship, where the only treasure worth plundering is what’s on your plate. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with an intimate, coastal charm that perfectly complements the stunning ocean views. Our table faced west, giving us a direct view of the sun dipping below the horizon as we enjoyed our meal. It doesn’t get more picturesque than that. Shucking Amazing Service From start to finish, the staff was exceptional. Our server handled everything with precision and grace, and the kitchen staff absolutely nailed every dish we ordered. It’s clear that this isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a well-oiled machine that delivers a five-star seafood experience every single night. The Verdict? Worth Every Shell. I always ask myself if a place provided real value, and without a doubt, The Sea Chest delivered. The food, the atmosphere, and the overall experience were worth every minute of the wait. If you’re ever in Cambria and don’t mind standing in line for buried treasure, this is a must-visit. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Five stars, no ifs, ands, or shells about it.

+16

Andree Hurley

What an amazing spot, I was on a road trip to Southern California and wanted to visit all my favorite spots on the central coast as I went to high school in the area and to Cal Poly… So I checked into the Cambria Shores Inn (favorite spot), and noticed there was a restaurant just south. I wandered in, pulled cash out of the cash machine, got a glass of wine and waited about 30 minutes to be seated at the bar and was just so impressed and amazed. I’ve worked at several restaurants and so really appreciated the team effort, the quality,, presentations and the techniques. The owner and Chef said pictures of him were copyrighted, so I asked him if I could take them from the back and he said that would be OK. :)

+2

Asuka Langley Soryu

We arrived around 7 p.m. on a Saturday night and had about a 10-minute wait, which was reasonable. We ordered the Oyster Rockefeller—the sauce was very good, though the oyster itself didn’t taste quite as fresh as we expected. We also tried the scampi. It had a noticeable tomato-forward flavor, but the seasoning didn’t fully penetrate the seafood, even though the seafood itself was fresh. Service was very good overall, and despite a few minor notes on the food, we enjoyed the meal and had a pleasant experience.

y “Ari” r

Cool place for oyster Rockefeller. Great view of the ocean. No reservations. Cash only. Need to come an hour before opening time of 5:30 bring wine and folding chair and tailgate

Great food, wait staff and classy cozy dining rooms but this Google maps page and menu photos have prices waaaaay out of date. In February 2026 the shrimp cocktail was delicious but it was $27.50. Garlic bread $12. Bowl of excellent chowder was $15. Not a single entree for less than $40. Not very comforting if one is hosting friends, is already seated and discovers not only that it's cash or check only (and you didn't bring your debit card for the ATM) but that all the prices are about 20% more than advertised on Google maps.

Mat Fend

Not everything is fresh. We work in restaurants so getting to spend a Friday night together is rare. We arrived during busy hours and were told we could wait with some wine, packed like sardines in the bar. We almost finished the bottle in the hour it took to seat the wait list ahead of us. It's fine. Server was nice, and brought out steamers, garlic bread, and beautiful salads. My date got some oysters, they didn't look too impressive with large strips of petrified bacon on them. I ordered the dijon glazed salmon special since there was no crab available -At the start of crab season? OK... The salmon presented like a hot dog with a mustard line poured lengthwise, and I was OK with that. Cooked perfectly - tender inside. Took my first bite and realized the fish was old. I could taste ammonia. I have worked as a chef for 35+ years so I'm very aware and critical of freshness. But it was late and I could see the kitchen cleaning up, the owner schmoozing tables, there was no way I would send it back. Probably the last cut pulled from the bottom of a 6th pan that hadn't been changed over all week, but I'm speculating based on flavor. I ate as much as I could, tipped the guy %30 and left. When I got home I vomited until I felt better around 1:30 am. I felt betrayed. I felt robbed. I'm just so disappointed when I encounter this. Whoever sent out the salmon simply does not care or was too lazy or was told to sell out the old salmon or was too many shift beers deep to notice the foul smell. I'll probably never go back. I know it's tough to staff kitchens around here but the management really needs to tighten the reins before someone gets sick. (besides me) *Heavily edited to retract numerous curse words*

Mike Morris

⭐ 1 Star The food here was absolutely phenomenal, but the service was one of the most uncomfortable experiences we’ve ever had dining out. We were seated right next to one of the staff’s family members — Kalia’s husband and daughter — and it was immediately clear they were receiving completely different treatment than us. While they got her full attention, we were mostly ignored and made to feel like outsiders sitting beside a family gathering. What made things worse was how her husband and daughter kept watching us throughout the meal — it felt like they were monitoring our interaction with Kalia, which made the entire experience feel tense and intrusive. We also couldn’t help but notice Kalia’s husband consuming several glasses of wine while seated with their daughter during our meal. It added to the uncomfortable atmosphere and made us question the professionalism of having family seated and drinking alongside guests in the dining area. Kalia herself was dismissive toward us, which only added to the awkwardness and made what should have been a relaxing date night feel unpleasant. Thankfully, Izzy — who we initially thought was just another waitress — turned out to be our actual server. She was kind, attentive, and professional, and truly the only reason we didn’t walk out. It’s such a shame that a restaurant with food this good allows this kind of dynamic to happen right in front of paying guests. Being treated differently than a staff member’s family, while feeling watched the entire time, made an otherwise special night feel awkward and unwelcoming.